Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista reaches another milestone

The Toronto Blue Jays and slugger Jose Bautista will more than likely go their separate ways at the conclusion of a disappointing season enduring Joey Bats run as the longest tenured player. Last night Bautista reached yet another milestone cementing his legacy as one of the best to ever play north of the border.

Jose Bautista connected for his 20th home run of the season in the third inning off Pirates starter Jameson Taillon. That round tripper made it 8 consecutive 20 home run season for Bautista in a Blue Jays uniform. The only other Jays player to accomplish the feat was Carlos Delgado.

The decline of Bautista has been debated ad nauseam this year by prognosticators and Jays fans alike, however, you cannot deny that he is the face of the franchise and arguably the best clutch, big game hitter we have ever seen grace the turf at the Rogers Centre.

Bautista still has a mutual option for next season but you figure the Jays brain trust will close the book on him in their attempt to become younger and more athletic moving forward. Regardless of how it plays out, I will miss the right fielder.

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Bautista has launched 285 home runs during his 10-years with the Jays and only second to the aforementioned Delgado who tallied 336 while with the Jays. The 36-year old is near the top of a laundry list of Blue Jays offensive records.

Aside from the home runs he sits second in walks, third in runs, extra base hits and runs batted in and seventh in hits in franchise history. One day Bautista will be enshrined on the Level of Excellence for all his accomplishments in Toronto.

Not bad for a guy who had been designated, purchased and traded all before the Jays acquired him for Robinzon Diaz in one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history.

Next: Blue Jays: Jays Journal exclusive with Jesse Barfield

Godspeed Jose in your future endeavors.